Effect of fast neutron irradiation on tensile properties of AISI 304 stainless steel and alloy Ti–6Al–4V

Effect of fast neutron irradiation at low fluence level of ∼1018 ncm−2, on tensile properties of AISI 304 stainless steel and titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V, was studied at ambient temperature. Flat tensile specimens, subjected to fast neutron irradiation to three different fluences of 0.6 × 1018, 1.2 × 1018 and 4.8 × 1018 ncm−2, in a reactor, were tested at ambient temperature. It was observed that yield strength and tensile strength of the AISI 304 stainless steel increased marginally, upto the fluence level of 1.2 × 1018 ncm−2, but significantly at the highest fluence of 4.8 × 1018 ncm−2. However there was only nominal decrease in ductility due to neutron irradiation. On the other hand, in the alloy Ti–6Al–4V there was fall both in strength as well as ductility with increase in neutron fluence. Ductility was found to decrease upto the fluence of 1.2 × 1018 ncm−2 and remained constant at higher fluences. Phase instability was revealed by X-ray diffraction in both the neutron irradiated materials.